Construction input prices rose 1.5% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data released. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 1.5% for the month, but are up just 0.2% from a year ago.
Rising energy prices drove overall price increases in August. Crude petroleum prices were up 8.9% and unprocessed energy materials prices rose 5.4% last month.